Local Decor Inspiration: The Greens Hotel Sacramento

Looking for an inexpensive option for a single-night stay in Sacramento, we recently stumbled upon this fantastic 26-room gem of a hotel. Slightly off the beaten path (if your aim is downtown Sacramento) on Del Paso Boulevard in North Sacramento, The Greens Hotel is an unexpected retro-hip spot. We were thrilled to find this boutique hotel in a funky neighborhood for just $89 a night. Take a look…

Knowing very little about the hotel and what to expect upon our arrival, we were completely unaware of the treat that lay before us. Frankly, the hotel was an afterthought to the trip as a whole. Immediately upon our arrival, I could see that extra attention to modern design had been taken to the overall design, but it was the moment that I saw the big, bold letters identifying each room that I realized what we were in for—much more than your typical fill-in-the-blank hotel experience.

Dan Friedlander, owner of the furniture design company Limn that Apartment Therapy featured here, has remodeled this mid-century era motel in a neighborhood that has been "in transition," so to speak, for years. Opening with other high-end businesses just around the corner from Limn, The Greens Hotel brings a young, design forward attitude to the neighborhood. Each room is painted a bold, bright color, and is outfitted with custom beds and headboards and other furniture from Limn. On the walls are original works from emerging local artists, complete with artist information cards and prices.

Outside, the grounds have been xeriscaped with small gardens and huge potted plant arrangements. Funky AstroTurf lawns and plenty of seating for outdoor lounging are worked into the existing parking lot area.

From the eclectic collection of books in each room to the vintage terrarium beneath available mailboxes, The Greens Hotel quickly became our go-to lodging when we travel to Sacramento. It's also worth noting that The Greens is an eco-conscious hotel, offering all-natural products in its rooms, and maintaining green housekeeping practices.

We were expecting a forgettable stay in a budget hotel. What we got was a fanciful mini-vacation in a well-appointed, affordable boutique hotel.